Walt Schmidt on the Possibility of Another Refinance Boom

The average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell 65bp between the beginning of June to the end of September, causing a mini refinancing boom from those who initially borrowed closer to this cycle’s peak rates. Most borrowers still have mortgages with rates well below the current market rate, however, reinforcing the “mortgage lock” that has stifled housing market churn over the last few years. The Fed’s policy path and longer-term interest rates will determine whether the housing market continues to thaw and how much prepayment risk there is for MBS investors. In this episode, we talk with Walt Schmidt, Manager of Mortgage Strategies with FHN Financial, about what’s caused the recent decline in mortgage rates, what to expect for MBS prepayments in the coming months, and whether another refinance boom is on the horizon.